Ranney School seeks an Assistant/Associate Dean of College Counseling to join our well-established office responsible for guiding students and families through the college search and application process. We seek a dynamic, collaborative professional with strong interpersonal skills to join our team of four in this 12-month position beginning in summer 2026. The successful candidate will align with our school’s mission to know and value every student and with our team’s philosophy of supporting a thoughtful, student-centered journey to a right-fit college. 

The ideal candidate will:

• Have 5+ years of college admission experience and/or 3+ years of college counseling experience in a school setting. 
• Be warm, approachable, and passionate about fostering relationships with students, empathizing with them, and patiently guiding them and their families through academic planning, extracurricular development, and the college application process.
• Demonstrate all of the following:
• expert understanding of the changing landscape of college admissions processes (including admissions trends, financial aid changes, testing policies, and higher education developments), 
• broad familiarity with right-fit institutions for learners with diverse aptitudes, interests, and needs, 
• unwavering commitment to ethical college counseling practices,
• excellent communication skills for translating complex admissions processes into understandable guidance, 
• and the emotional intelligence and cultural competence to navigate consequential situations effectively with students, families, and colleagues.
• Bring abundant energy and a desire to learn and grow as a professional.

Primary Job Responsibilities:

• Meet regularly with counselees and families from Grades 10 – 12 to offer individualized academic advising and college planning
• Thoughtfully guide counselees and families through all aspects of the college search, application, and decision process
• Write thoughtful, well-crafted, and individualized letters of recommendation for counselees
• Serve as the school’s Advanced Placement Coordinator, and assist with the division’s course request and scheduling processes
• Foster and maintain relationships with college admission representatives through ongoing communication and engagement
• Co-teach College Counseling classes in the fall and spring semesters
• Plan and facilitate programs and events for students and families (e.g., Junior College Night, Lunch n’ Learn series) in partnership with the College Counseling team
• Stay current on trends and developments in college admissions through conferences, campus visits, and professional networking
• Represent the College Counseling Office at school events and contribute actively to the life of the school community in support of the school’s mission and values

Compensation: 

The anticipated salary range for this position is $70,000 to $90,000 annually. Ranney is committed to offering competitive compensation based on educational attainment and years of relevant experience. We offer a robust benefits package to eligible full-time employees, including: 

• Medical, HRA, dental, and vision insurance plans 
• Employer-paid life, short-term, and long-term disability insurance 
• A voluntary 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching contributions based on years of service 
• Partial tuition remission for eligible children and grandchildren
• Graduate tuition assistance and professional development grants
• Retention bonuses awarded at five-year milestones

To Apply:
Please submit an application dossier (cover letter, resume, and 3-5 professional references) compiled into a single PDF file to college-counselor-hiring@ranneyschool.org. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

About Ranney School: 

Ranney School is an Age 3 to Grade 12 independent school in Tinton Falls, NJ. We serve a diverse body of approximately 750 students from across Monmouth & Ocean Counties on the northern New Jersey shore. A secular, college-preparatory day school, Ranney is guided by a strong Board of Trustees, an experienced Head of School, Dr. John Griffith, and most notably, by a powerful mission: “To know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society.” 

An equal opportunity employer, we foster a community that supports a spectrum of cultures, beliefs, and talents to promote the intellectual growth and moral development of all members of our community. We are committed to creating an environment that is affirming and inclusive. We are inspired by an awareness and appreciation for diversity, human dignity and interpersonal acceptance.

About Ranney School

Ranney School is an Age 3-Grade 12 independent, college preparatory school based in Tinton Falls, NJ. Our school serves a diverse body of approximately 770 students from across Monmouth & Ocean Counties on the northern New Jersey shore. A secular, college-preparatory day school, Ranney is guided by a strong Board of Trustees, an experienced Head of School, Dr. John Griffith, and most notably, by a powerful mission and vision. Our mission is “To know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society.” We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to distinguish and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens. We continue to foster an inclusive community that supports a spectrum of cultures, beliefs and talents to promote the intellectual growth and moral development of all members of our community. We are inspired by an awareness and appreciation for diversity, human dignity and interpersonal acceptance.

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